Recipes from a NON chef: Meat & Taters
I don't claim to be a chef. Nor do I claim that I can "throw down" in the kitchen. However, I will tell you that I can, indeed, cook. And very well, might I add. My husband loves my cooking...even before he was my husband and had to tell me that everything I served was the best thing he ever tasted. ; ) So, with that lengthy list of credentials, I thought I'd share with you a recipe or two of what I cook here at the Hamilton House. You might even see recipes pop up on CR every now and then.
Now, I'm not your conventional "soul food" cook, and I don't really follow the "like-my-grandma-made-it" handbook. I'm one of those that can dress up a can of green beans or sweet potatoes and make them taste like they're homemade. I'm, also, one of those people that hate to go to the grocery store, so I improvise a lot with what I have on hand. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever followed a recipe to the letter. It's just not my style...or that serious.
So, on the menu this week: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, mac & cheese and cornbread.
Make-em-come-back-for-more Meatloaf:
Red Meatloaf Sauce (it ain't just ketchup):
*I PROMISE you...this is the best meatloaf I've ever had. No lie...even better than my mom's or grandma's.
Buttery Mashed Potatoes:
In a medium pot bring water, butter, and chicken stock to a boil. Add garlic and potatoes. boil until potatoes begin to soften, approx. 10 min. Reduce heat and add green beans, onions, red pepper, and sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes or until green beans are tender.
Cheesy Mac & Cheese:
Anyway, try this meal. Make it for someone special, whether its your significant other, roommates, parents, whoever. They'll love it, I promise. You just gotta come back and let me know how it went.
Now, I'm not your conventional "soul food" cook, and I don't really follow the "like-my-grandma-made-it" handbook. I'm one of those that can dress up a can of green beans or sweet potatoes and make them taste like they're homemade. I'm, also, one of those people that hate to go to the grocery store, so I improvise a lot with what I have on hand. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever followed a recipe to the letter. It's just not my style...or that serious.
So, on the menu this week: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, mac & cheese and cornbread.
Make-em-come-back-for-more Meatloaf:
photo via
- 2 lbs of ground beef/chuck
- 1 small finely chopped or grated onion (or a lot of the dried chopped onion you find on the seasoning aisle)
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 2 eggs
- 8 saltine crackers (or 6 or 10 or breadcrumbs...whatever)
- 2 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tbsp of regular salt
- 1/2 tbsp of seasoned salt
- 1 tbsp of black pepper
- a little onion powder
- some garlic powder
- some dried (or fresh) chopped parsley
Red Meatloaf Sauce (it ain't just ketchup):
- 1/2 can of tomato paste
- 1/2 cup of ketchup
- 2-3 tbsp of brown sugar
- 1 dash of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cap full of apple cider vinegar
- a little bit of onion powder
- a little bit of garlic salt
*I PROMISE you...this is the best meatloaf I've ever had. No lie...even better than my mom's or grandma's.
Buttery Mashed Potatoes:
photo via
- Just follow the directions on the box and at the end, add more butter, a little sour cream and salt & pepper. Done.
photo via
- 6 cups frozen green beans (or 2-3 cans of green beans...drain the liquid)
- 1 small russet potatoes peeled and cubed (or any white potato)
- 1 1/2 cup of water
- 5 tbsp chicken stock
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 1/3 tsp granulated garlic
- 2 tbsp chopped onions
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (or not)
- 4 tbsp sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
In a medium pot bring water, butter, and chicken stock to a boil. Add garlic and potatoes. boil until potatoes begin to soften, approx. 10 min. Reduce heat and add green beans, onions, red pepper, and sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes or until green beans are tender.
Cheesy Mac & Cheese:
photo via
- Follow the directions on the box and add salt, pepper, a little paprika & a palm full of Parmesan cheese.
photo via
- Use 2 boxes of Jiffy cornbread mix. ALWAYS!
- Follow the directions on the box.
Anyway, try this meal. Make it for someone special, whether its your significant other, roommates, parents, whoever. They'll love it, I promise. You just gotta come back and let me know how it went.